Method for capping containers



Nov. 5, 1968 M. MUELLER METHOD FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS M4, joma, 56/15/126 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 22, 1963 Nov. 5, 1968 M. MUELLER3,403,737

METHOD FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS Original Filed July 22, 1963 6Sheets-Sheet 2 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 M. MUELLER METHOD FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS1 Filed July 22, 1963 .14 0 2.2 127 Nov. 5, 1968 Origina Waefz516414102X, @0 15 Nov. 5, 1968 M. MUELLER 3,408,787

METHOD FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS Original Filed July 22, 1963 6Sheets-Sheet 4.

Nov. 5, 1968 M. MUELLER 3,408,787

METHOD FOR CAPPING CONTAINERS Original Filed July 22,il89G3 6Sheets-Sheet 6 0 7 T 25 edg 3,408,787 METHOD FOR CAPPING CONTAINERSMartiu- Mueller, Chicago, 'Ill;,-'- assignorfto Lily 'l ulip CupCorporation,-. New York, N.Y.,- aacorporationof ,Delaware' Continuationof application Ser, No. 560,754, June .27, .1966, which is a divisionofapplication Ser. No. [296,563, July 22, 1963, now Patent No ,3,267,9 7I,dated Aug. 23, 1966. This application Dec. 19, 11967, Ser. No.691,745 I1 laims.(Cl. 53-37)- ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The methodis directedtoapplying a cover toa container in such a manner as to provide anair-free sealed package. .The removal of air. from under the cover, ofthe container permits the container to be fully packed without anyunsightly bulging which would impairithe esthetic appeal of the packageand which would also make it harder to pack the sealed packages in acartonor a freezerLThe air is removedby engaging opposite sides of thecontainer near the upper edge thereof and squeezing them toward eachother to form a path for the escape of any air trapped beneath thecover,

This application is a continuation of my copending application No.560,754, .filed June 27, 1966, now abandoned, which in turn is adivision of application No. 296,- 563 filed July 22, 1963, now US.PateutNo. 3,267,971.,

This invention relates to a packaging apparatus and process, and isparticularly concerned with a means and a-process for mechanicallypackaging flowable material of two different colors in a cylindrical,conical or frusto-conical transparent container in such a manner as toproduce a spiral effect visible through the outside 0f=the container;

While the apparatus is cap-able ofpackaging different types of products,it is particularly designed for packagin pressure flowable foodproducts, such as, for example, ice cream, sherbet and the like, and,for convenience, the invention will be described with reference to icecream and syrup.

Packages containing icecream with syrup or other flavoring materialarranged to form a spiral design around the outer surface of the icecream are not new, but heretofore such packages have been produced onlywhenthe materials are packed by hand.- In hand packing,- a composite'downflowing stream of ice cream and syrup is main-' tained in a steadyflow while successive packages are inserted into the stream and twistedduring the filling proc ess. Packing in this manner is relatively slowand requires the constant attention of an operator of skill-and agility.Itis therefore much more costly than the packing of containers withoutthe spiral effect. a

The apparatus of the present invention enables the manufacturer topackage ice cream with the desired spiral effect much more rapidly andefiiciently and at substantially the same price as ice cream without-thespiral effect.

U ied sw sflraem preferred illu si f ffive emi dtiifiientbf 'theinvention, j in.

ment of't'hedispenser on-disehargenogzlej 3,408,787 d ectsi ia-.,

which; g a FIG. 1 is a fi'agmentary side elevationa view of the ap:paratusembodying thejinventiong FIG.' 2 as vertical sectional iews tnaaeatsdg duced by the apparatus;

FIG. 4 a yertical sectional View of a preferr'e dleni bodirrient statedischarge nozzle? f j FIG. S'is'a vertical sectionalview' ofanother'pref 'FIGJS is a detailperspe'ctiveview of packageernbodiment'of thegdischarge noizle; I

6 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly iriiflelevation,showing another prferfied e "din ien't' ofthe'discharge'noiale;

FIG." 7 "is a fragmentary side elevationalf vie'wgif the cam mechanismfor'opera'ting the ciisclrarge"ricuizl "FIG." 8 is avertica'l sectionalviewjtakeh along the line 88ofFIG.7; FIG. 9 is a cross "sectional view,taken generally along the line 9 9 of FIG. 1, but with the dischargenozile' within the container at the start of the'containe'r'.fillingoperation;

t FIG 10 is a cross sectional view, taken along the line 1o--10 of FIG.9; FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view, takenalong'the line 1111 ofFIG. 1;

The apparatus also includes means for applying a cover I to thecontainer'in such a manner as to provide. an airfree sealed package. Theremoval of air from under the cover of the container :permits thecontainer. to be fully packed without any unsightly bulging which-wouldimpair the esthetic appeal of the package and which would also make itharder to pack the sealed packagesina FIGQ12 is afragme ntary verticalview, partly in new tion andpartly in section, showing the coverapplying mechanism;

1 FIG. 13 is a fragmentary vertical view, partly in elevation and partlyin section, taken generally along'the line 13'-13 of FIG. 12; andshowing the cover applyingmeclianism in its uppermost position in solidlines and in anintermediate position -in dotted lines;'

FIG. His 21 view of-the mechanism shown in FIG. 13, except that themechanism is in its lowermost position;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary detail view, partly in elevation, showing theadjustable means for holding a stack of covers in a receptacle beforethey are applied to the-filled containers; 4

.FIG. 1.6 is a fragmentary top elevational view showing the mechanismfor freeing the container of entrapped airbefore the cover is secured inplace:

; FIG, 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, embodiment of the mechanismshown in.- FIG...16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view-"taken along the line18-18 of FIG. 17;. FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view showing bowing-howentrapped air is released ,fromthe container before the cover is securedin place;

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic view showing the cov r of; FIG. 19 secured tothe container; and 1 FIG. 21 is a view, similar to FIG. 20,"showin'g.a'different form of cover. 2

, Referring to the drawings, the apparatus-comprises a suitable frame21, an endless conveyor 22, a filling station 23, a cover applyingstation 24, and asealing station 25. The conveyor comprises a pair oflaterally spaced endless chains 26 each of which extends around a. pairof sprockets 27 at opposite ends of the frame. The sprockets at each endare mounted -on a rotatableshaft 28', one of the shafts being driven bya motor (notshowri). A series of fiat plates 29secured at opposite edgesto chains 26,

as indicated at 30, each havea, centrally-disposedopen iug 31 forreceiving a transparent or translucent container 32. A container ismanually :positioned in .each opening 31,..but automatic means maybeprovided'for this-purfpose. The container is preferablyofrfrusto-conical shape, and the opening 31 has a diameter slightlysmaller than the diameter of the. top portion of thezcontainergsothatthe container, is supported just below its upper; edge, as

shown in FIG. 18.

showing another Although the apparatus shown in the drawings has meansfor supporting only'one row of containers, it will be understood thatthe chains may be spaced any desired distance from each other, and eachplate 29 may be provided with a plurality of openings for holding aplurality of rows of containers. The containers of each row would thenbe filled simultaneously. Cylindrical containers may be used in the sameapparatus if they have a lateral flange adjacent the upper edge. If thecontainers to be filled are cylindrical, and do not have anylateralflange, they may be supported by inturned fingers depending from plates29. A

The conveyor is moved intermittently by any suitable means (not shown),and is stopped each time one of the plates 29 reaches the fillingstation with the open top of the container carried therebyv positionedbeneath the discharge nozzle 33. The movement of the conveyor is sotimed that each container beneath the discharge nozzle is filled beforethe conveyor resumes its movement. A spinning mechanism 34 in verticalalignment with the discharge nozzle is located beneath the containerwhen the container is being filled.

The spinning mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, comprises a pluralityof spindles 35 rotatably mounted in a fiat horizontally disposed plate36 having an aperture 37 for receiving each spindle. Although the numberof spindles may be varied, the preferred embodiment has four. Theapertures in plate 36 are spaced equidistant from a common center andeach aperture is provided with a bushing 38 in which the shank 39 ofthespindle fits. The shank 39 is held in the bushing by a C-spring 40.The intermediate section of the spindle has a circumferential recess 43with bevelled edges 44 for a frictional fit with an endless belt 45. Thespindle also has a beveled surface 46 above the recess, for frictionalengagement with the lower edge of the container 32. Preferably thesurface 46 is formed by a ring 46' of rubber or other similar resilientmaterial that is fitted over the. spindle 35. As shown in FIG. 10, thering 46 has a triangular cross section.

The apertures 37 are so spaced that the center to center distancebetween diagonally opposite apertures is slightly greater than thediameter of the bottom of the container. The intermediate section ofeach spindle extends laterally beyond the circumference of its apertureto such an extent that the distance between the adjacent edges ofdiagonally opposite spindles is less than the diameter of the bottom ofthe container, and the bevelled surfaces 46 of each spindle engage thelower edge of the container when the plate 36 is raised, as hereinafterdescribed. The upper portion of the spindle is in the form of an uprightprojection 47 spaced slightly from the upright wall of the container 32to prevent displacement of the container as it is spun around its ownvertical axis by the frictional engagement of its lower edge with thefour spindles that are rotated constantly by the endless belt 45.

The belt 45, which frictionally engages the circumferential recess ofeach spindle, is driven by a pulley 48 which is fixed to the outputshaft 49 of a motor 50. The motor is preferably an air motor, but anysuitable motor may be used. The motor 50 is mounted on the bottom ofplate 36 in any suitable manner with its output shaft 49 projectingthrough said plate for driving engagement with the endless belt 45.

The plate 36 is fixed at one end to a vertical shaft 51 by means of acollar 52. The shaft 51 is slidably mounted in a bushing 53 that extendsthrough a flat plate 54 and is secured thereto by a nut 55. An invertedchannel member 56 mounted on the lower end of the vertical shaft 51carries a transverse pin 57 for apurpose hereinafter disclosed. A coiledcompression spring 58 encircling shaft 51 between the nut 55 and the topof channel member 56 urges shaft 51 downwardly. The plate 54, throughwhich the shaft 51. 'extends, forms the top of a housing 59 thatencloses a main drive shaft 60. The shaft 60 is driven continuously by amotor (not shown) to rotate a series of cams 61, 62, 63 and 64 mountedon the shaft in axially spaced relationship.

The vertical movement of shaft 51 in the upward direction is controlledby a lever 65 that is pivotally secured at one end to a pin 66 mountedin a bracket 67 mounted on the underside of plate 54. The opposite endof the lever has an elongated slot 68 through which the pin 57 extends.A camfollower roller 69 is rotatably mounted on a pin 70 fixed to a pairof cars 65' extending downwardly from the lever 65 at approximately itsmidsection. The spring 58 urges the cam roller 69 downwardly intoperipheral surface engagement with the cam 61. As the cam 61 rotates,its thick section forces the lever 65 upwardly about its fixed pivot 66to raise the shaft 51 and plate 36 against the force of the spring 58.The spring 58 forces the shaft 51 downwardly as the rotation of the cammoves its thin section between the shaft 60 and the cam roller 69. Thecam 61 is set to provide a predetermined timing relationship between thevertical movement of the spinner mechanism and the feeding mechanism.

As the spinning mechanism is moved upwardly, the beveled surfaces 46 ofall of the spindles 35 engage the lower edge of the container and spinit rapidly. The upright projections 47 of the spindles are so close tothe upstanding wall of the container 32 that they restrict the lateralmovement of the container to a distance less than the lateral overlapbetween the outer edge of the container and the periphery of the base ofthe beveled surface 46. The spatial relationship between the spindlesand the 'vertical axis of the container insures continuous frictionalengagement between the beveled surface 46 of each of the spindles andthe lower edge of the container whenever the spinning mechanism israised high enough for such engagement.

As the shaft 51 is raised, the spinning mechanism raises the containeruntil the bottom of the empty container is in proximity to the outlet 71at the lower end of the discharge nozzle 33. The operation of theapparatus is so timed that the nozzle is closed when the spinningmechanism is in its uppermost position. By means of mechanismhereinafter described, the nozzle 33 is opened to dispense the foodproducts into the container at the same time as the spinning mechanismstarts moving downwardly. As previously stated, the spring 58, forcesthe spinning mechanism downwards. The weight of the container and thefood products dispensed into it force the container downwardly to keepit in contact with thespinning mechanism as the spinning mechanism ismoved downwardly, thus insuring continuous spinning of the container asit is being filled. When the container is completely filled, thedischarge nozzle is closed.

The diameter of the aperture 31 in plate 29 is smaller than the diameterof the container at its upper edge portion. Accordingly, the containerstops moving downwardly when its peripheral surface engages the edge ofthe plate 29 defining the aperture 31. At this point the upper edge ofthe container is lower than the bottom of the nozzle 71. The spinningmechanism continues its downward movement until it reaches its lowermostposition. At this point the thinnest portion of the cam 61 is betweenthe cam roller 69 and the shaft 60. As soon as the spindles 35 of thespinning mechanism move downwardly far enough to clear the bottom of thecontainer, the conveyor starts to move the containers toward thedischarge end of the conveyor. The movement of the conveyor is timed sothat the most recently filled container reaches the cover apply-' ingstation 24, andthe next container reaches the filling station 23 invertical alignment with the spinning 'mech-' anism before the spinningmechanism moves upwardly far enough to engage the bottom of said nextcontainer.

The discharge nozzle 33 comprises a housing 72 connected by means of abracket 73 to a vertically reciprocable sleeve 74 slidably mounted inaxially spaced bushings 75 and 76. A rod 77, slidably mounted in thesleeve 74, has a cross bar 78 secured to its upper end. The other end ofthe cross bar is operatively connected to a plunger structure,hereinafter described, for controlling the operation of the nozzle 33.As shownin FIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of cam rollers 79 are rotatably mountedin a bifurcated bracket 80 depending from thelower end of the sleeve 74.A. cam roller 8l is rotatably mounted in the lower end of-the rod77. Y

The cam rollers 79 and 8 1 are engaged with the cam 62,- which is adouble acting cam comprisinga pair of identical cam plates 82 fixed tothedrive shaft 60 adjacent opposite sides of a central cam plate 83. Thecam plates 82 are each in vertical alignment with one of the cam rollers79, and the cam plate 83, which is also fixed to shaft 60, is invertical alignment with the cam roller 81. The cam roller 81 is movedupwardlyby the cam plate 83 to raise the cross bar 78. The cross bar 78and the plunger structure connected thereto may be moved downwardly bygravity, following the configuration by the periphery of the cam plate83, but a spring mechanism, such as that shown in FIG. 11, maybeprovided, if necessary toinsure downward movement of the cross bar andits associated plunger tructure. I

The cam rollers 79 move the sleeve 74 upwardly as they ,are movedupwardly by the configuration of the peripheries of cam plates 82. Thecam plates 82 are shaped to provide an abrupt rise in the movement ofsleeve 74 substantially simultaneously with the termination of thedownward movement of the cross bar 78. The significance of the timedrelationship between the abrupt upward movement of the sleeve 74 and thecompletion of the downward movement of the cross bar 78 will bediscussed later in connection with the description of the specificoperation of the discharge nozzle 33.

In the simplest form of the discharge nozzle 33, as shown in FIG. 2, thehousing 72 comprises an upper section 84 and a, lower section 85 securedin axial alignment by a threaded collar 86. A cylindrical tube 87depending from the top of section 84 has an annular flange 88 engagingthe inner wall surface of the housing to divide the annular spacebetween the tube 87 and the inner wall surface of the housing into anupper chamber 89 and a lower chamber 90. A plurality of narrow conduits91 extend through the flange 88 to allow one food product, sucha'ssyrup, to pass from the upper chamber to the lower chamber for dischargethrough the discharge outlet 71 simultaneously with the discharge of adifierent food product, such as ice cream, from the lower chamber into acontainer 32. In FIG. 9 three conduits are shown, but it will beunderstood that any desired number of such conduits may be provided. Therapid spinning of the container as the ice cream and syrup flow into itin an unblended stream causes the syrup to assume a spiral pattern nearthe outer wall of thevcontainer, as indicated at S in FIG. 3. It ispreferred to have the conduits 91 equally spaced radiallyvof thedispenser to provide uniformity to the spiral pattern of thecompleted'package, but the conduits may be spaced unequally to providediiferent spiral pate terns.

. Theinterior of the lower chamber has an inwardly extending-annularshoulder forming a valve seat 92 just above'the discharge outlet 71. Avalve 93 is mounted on a plunger 94 which has its upper end connected tothe cross bar 78. The valve 93 is shaped to seal the discharge outlet 71of the nozzle 33 when it is seated on the valve seat 92. A conduit 95leading into thelower chamber 90 is connected to a source of supply ofthe basic food prodnot, such as ice cream. Means is provided to forcethe ice cream or other food product through the conduit by pressure. Theconduit is flexible, or is provided with a flexible connection, to allowthe dispenser to move vertically. A conduit 96 is connected to the upperchamber 89, and' the second food product, such as syrup, is forced froma supply source into the upper chamber by pressure. The conduit 96 issimilar to, but preferably smaller than the conduit 95.

When the container is moved upwardlyinto position to be filled, thevalve, 93 is moved upwardly, and the ice cream from the lower chamber.and the syrup from the upper chamber are forced into the rapidlyrotating container in four unblended streams. The ice cream stream iscornparatively thick, and the streams of syrup are thin. The. containeris rotated constantly during the filling operation, and is loweredgradually as it is filled. The constant rotation and the downwardmovement of the container as it is being filled causes the syrup toassume a spiral pattern within the ice cream and near the outerperiphery of the container which is made of transparent plastic.Withthrfee streams of syrup spaced equally radially of. the axis of theplunger 94, the spirally arranged streams of syrup are equally-spacedvertically from each other in the container.

At substantially the same instant that the container is filled to itscapacity the sleeve 74 is ,raised abruptly by cam plates 82 to provide aclean break in the fiowof the ice cream andsyrup and thus prevent thecontents of .the downwardly moving container from pulling the ice creamand syrup. below the valve of the discharge nozzle into the container.The clean brake in the flow avoids forming a mound at the top of the icecream in the container. The upward movement of the housing 72 is limitedby a flange 97 secured to theplunger 94. Simultaneously with the upwardmovement of the housing 72 the valve 93 engages its seat 92 to close thedischarge outlet 71 of the nozzle 33.

The discharge nozzles 33' and 33", shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively,ditfer from the discharge nozzle shown in FIG. 2 in that in theembodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 a separate cutoff is provided for thesyrup. The different valve structure will be described, but theduplicate structure in each embodiment will be indicated by identicalreference numerals, and the description of such structure will not beduplicated.

In FIG. 4, the upper section 98 of housing 72' is divided into twovertically spaced annular chambers, an upper chamber 99 and anintermediate chamber 100 by an insert 101 having a vertical bore 102 inwhich the plunger 94 is slidably mounted. The upper end of the'uppersec-- tion 98 has a flange 103 extending inwardly to fit tightly againstthe outer surface of the insert 101 and thus form the top of the upperannular chamber 99. An annular flange 104 extends outwardly from theinsert 101 to the inner wall surface .of the housing 72- intermediatethe length of the insert to form the bottom of the upper annular chamber99 and the top of the intermediate annular chamber 100. The insert 101has another lateral flange 105 forming the bottom of the intermediateannular chamber and the top of the lower chamber 90. A plurality ofconduits 91, preferably three, extend through the lower flange 105 topermit the syrup to flowfrom the intermediate chamber 100 intothelowerportion of the lower annular chamber 90 and thence through the dischargeoutlet 71 of the nozzle. 4

The vertical wall section of the insert 101 is provided with a pluralityof apertures 106 interconnecting the upper annular chamber 99 with theverticalbore 102 and a plurality of apertures 107 interconnecting theintermediate annular chamber 100 with the bore 102. The section of theplunger 94' below the flange 97 is constructed as a slide valvecooperating with the insert 101 to control the flow of one of the foodproducts, such as, for example,

the syrup. The plunger 94 has an annular recess 108,

between an upper O-ring 109 and a lower O-ring 110 each of which forms aseal between the plunger 94', and the bore 102 of the insert 101. Thevertical travelof the plunger within housing 72? is so limited that bothO-rings engage the inner wall surface of the insert 101 in all positionsof the plunger. 7 4

The upper annular chamber 99, the apertures 106, the annular recess 108,the apertures 107, and the annular chamber 100 all constitute parts ofthe conduit that permits the syrup to flow from the source of supply 'tothe end of the lower chamber 90 adjacent-the dischargevoutlet. Theannular recess 108 has a vertical dimension long enough to allow it toregister withithe apertures 106 and 107 at the" same time, thusproviding flow communication from the supply conduit 96 to the dischargeconduit- 91. When the plunger is in its lowermost position, in which thevalve 93 is seated on its seat 92', the solid portion of the plungerabove the recess 108 is in register with the apertures 106, and theconduit is closed to the flow of syrup.

When the container is in position to be filled, the plunger 94' israised to lift valve 93 from its seat and to register recess 108 withboth series of apertures 106 and 107. The valve 93' and its seat 92' maybe identical with valve 93 and its seat 92, but in FIGS. 4 and the valvehas a resilient annular insert 111 of rubber or any suitable plasticmaterial positioned toengage a sharp annular edge 92' that forms a valveseat. With the plunger 94 in its uppermost position, the syrup or otherfood product flowing under pressure in the conduit 96 flows into theupper annular chamber 99, through apertures 106, recess 108 andapertures 107 into the intermediate annular chamber 100. The syrup flowsfrom the chamber 100 through the conduits 91, into the chamber 90, andout the nozzle 71 along with the ice cream or other food product as inthe embodiment of FIG. 2.

When the container is filled and the housing 72' is moved'upwardly, asdescribed in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 2, the plunger 94'is in the position shown in FIG. 4. In this position the upper end ofrecess 108 is below the plane of apertures 106. The solid portion of theplunger 94 cuts off the flow of syrup from conduit 96, since said syrupcannot pass through the apertures 106 into the recess 108.

In FIG. 5, the valve structure is similar to that shown in FIG. 4 exceptthat the plunger 94" is provided with a conduit 113 in the form of anaxial bore extending upwardly through the valve 93". A plurality oftransverse apertures 114 extending through the wall of plunger 94" liebelow the apertures 106 when the plunger 94" is in its lowermostposition. When the plunger 94" is raised, in the same manner asdescribed in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the transverse apertures 114 moveinto axial register' with the apertures 106 so that all parts of theconduit are in flow communication, and the syrup can flow from theconduit 96 through apertures 106 and 114 into conduit 113. The pressureflowing the syrup through conduit 96 will force the syrup through thenozzle 33" as long as the apertures 106 and 114 remain in axialalignment. However, when the valve 93" is on its seat 92', the parts ofthe conduitare not in flow communication because the apertures 114 arenot in register with the apertures 106, and the flow of syrup iseffectively cut off.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is similar to that of FIG. 5 except that theconduit 113 is replaced by a conduit 115 in the form of a vertical boreof larger diameter. A plug 116fitted into the lower end of the conduit115 has three conduits 117 extending therethrough to divide the flow ofsyrup from the conduit 115. The lower ends of the conduits 117 areflared outwardly, as indicated at 118, to direct the streams of syruptoward the outer edges of the container.

I After a container has been filled, it is automatically moved to thecover applying station 24. At this station an open ended receptacle 119holds a stack of flat, flanged covers 120 in vertical alignment, witheach cover being arranged in position ready to be applied to a filledcontaincr. The receptacle 119 comprises three vertical rods 121 held inspatial relationship by horizontally extending bands 122. The covers areheld in the receptacle 119, with their flanges extending upwardly, byspring pressed pins 123 projecting inwardly from screws 124 threadedthrough the rods 121 and held in place by nuts 125. As shown in FIG. 15,the spring pressed pins extend under the peripheral edge portions of thecovers only a very short distance. Although the pins hold the coverssecurely in the receptacle 119, the pins may be retracted to permitremoval 8 .1 of the covers from the receptacle by a slight downwardpressure against the pins.

The mechanism for applying covers to the filled containers comprises avertically disposed rectangular frame 126, as shown in FIG. 12. Theframe 126 comprises two vertically disposed posts 127 each of which isslid-ably mounted in vertically aligned bushings 128 and 129. Thebushings 128 are mounted in the top wall of housing 59, and the bushings129 are mounted in the frame 21 of the machine. The lower ends of theposts are tied together by a cross bar 130 on which a cam roller 131 isrotatably mounted. Springs 132, each having one end secured to housing59 and the opposite end secured to the bar 130, urge the bar downwardlyto keep the cam roller in engagement with the peripheral surface of cam63 which is fixed to drive shaft 60. A cross shaft 133 is rotatablymounted in apertures provided therefor in the upper ends of posts 127.

The cross shaft 133 is held against axial displacement of a pair ofcollars 134 fixed to the shaft on opposite sides of each post-127. Asegmental pinion 135 is secured'adjacent each end of shaft 133 and isheld in place by another collar 136. Each pinion is provided with teeth137 over a portion of its periphery, a flat peripheral surface 138contiguous to one end of the toothed portion, and a similar flatperipheral surface 139 contiguous to the opposite end of the toothedportion. A vertically disposed rack 140 is fixed to the frame 21adjacent opposite sides of the machine and extends upwardly intoengagement with the peripheral surface of the adjacent pinion. Each rackhas an upper flat surface 141, an intermediate toothed surface providedwith teeth 142 adapted to mesh with the teeth 137, and a lower flatsurface 143.

Rotation of the drive shaft 60 moves the frame 126 vertically in theupward direction by the action of cam 63 against the cam roller 131. Thesprings 132, assisted by the weight of the frame 126, move the framedownwardly whenever the cam 63 is in position to permit such movement.The entire movement of the frame 126 is vertical, but during theintermediate portion of the vertical movement of the frame, the teeth137 of the segmental pinions engage the teeth 142 of the rack to rotatethe cross shaft:

133 through 180. The flat surfaces138 and 141 cooperate to preventrotational movement of the cross shaft 133 adjacent the uppermostposition of frame 126, and the fiat surfaces 139 and 143 cooperate inthe same manner adjacent the lowermost position of frame 126.

A plunger 144 extending through an aperture in the cross shaft 133 isslidable therein, and is held against separation therefrom by collars145 and 146 fixed to the plunger on opposite sides of the cross shaft. Acompression spring 147 encircling the plunger acts against the collar146 .to urge the plunger upwardly, when the parts are in the positionsshown in FIG. 12. The upward movement of plunger 144, as viewed in FIG.12, is limited by the engagement of collar 145 with the cross shaft 133.An open ended cylindrical member 148 has a reduced neck 149 fixed on thecross shaft 133. A suction cup 150, mounted on the upper end of plunger144, has its upper edge projecting above the upper edge of the member148 with its concave surface facing and in vertical alignment with thebottom cover 120 of the stack of flanged covers in the receptacle 119.

'When the cam 63 moves the frame 126 upwardly from the position of FIG.12, the suction cup 150 engages the lowermost cover of the stack ofcovers in receptacle 119 with suflicient force to secure it to thecoverJThe spring 147 absorbs the shock at the end of the upward movementof the frame 126. The continued rotation of cam 63 allows the springs132 to pull the frame 126 downwardly, and the suction cup pulls thelowermost cover 120 downwardly past the spring pressed pins 123 toremove it fromthe stack. The flat surfaces 138 and 141 are long enoughto prevent rotational movement of shaft 133 until after the lowermostcover has been moved downwardly far enough to clear the spring pressedpins 123. The teeth of the pinions and the racks engageeach other afterthe lowermost cover clears the pins 123, and then rotate the shaft 133through 180 to invert the cover 120 before the frame 126 completes itsdownward movement. The cover 120, with itsflange extending downwardly,is then moved vertically downwardly just as a filled container 32 ismoved into vertical alignment therewith.

The continued rotation of cam 63 moves frame 126 upwardly, and the crossshaft 133 lifts the plunger 144 and rotates it through 180 in theintermediate portion of the upward movement of the frame 126. During thefinal increment of upward movement of the frame 126, the suction cup 150is in position to engage the lowermost cover 120 and to remove it fromthe receptacle 119.

As the cover is being positioned on top of the filled container, someair becomes entrapped between the upper edge of the container and theflange of the cover. The present invention includes means for freeingsuch entrapped air before the cover is secured to the container. In thepreferred embodiment, the frame 21 has a flat plate 151 secured to it oneach side of the conveyor 22 at the sealing station 25, as shown at 152,FIG. 16. The inner ends of plates 151 are spaced apart a distance lessthan the diameter of the portion of the container that is in the planeof the plates 151 as the container is seated in plate 29 for movementlongitudinally of the machine. As the conveyor 22 moves each filledcontainer from the cover applying station to the sealing station, eachcontainer must pass between the spaced inner ends of the pair ofoppositely disposed plates 151.

Preferably the inner end of each plate 151 is rounded on one side, asindicated at 153, to facilitate entrance of each container into thespace between the plates. As each container is moved between the plates151, the plates engage opposite sides of the container near the upperedge thereof and squeeze them toward each other to form a path for theescape of any air trapped beneath the cover, as shown by the arrow inFIG. 19. While the container is stopped at the station 25 and theopposite sides are held deflected inwardly by the plates 151, plunger165 under the control of cam 64 drops to press the cover .towards thecontainer, rising again before the conveyor starts and moves thecontainer beyond the plates 151 to allow the inwardly deflected sides ofthe container to resume their normal position. Thus, the inventionprovides means for compressing the sides of the container whilesimultaneously pressing downward on the cover to provide for the escapeof air trapped beneath the cover. A flange 154, extending laterally fromthe upper edge of the container, moves between the upstanding innerflange 155 of the cover and the underside of the top of the cover tolock the cover against accidental displacement of the cover from thecontainer.

It may be noted that the method of excluding air from a packagedescribed above is not limited to a package of the type hereindescribed, but may be used in packaging any material in a similarcontainer.

In FIG. 21, a slightly different cover 156 is pressed against the upperedge of the container. The cover 156 has an inwardly extending flange157 spaced from the top of the cover to allow space for an annularflange 158 projecting outwardly between the flange 157 and the top ofthe container.

Plunger 165 is controlled by the cam 64, as shown in FIG. 1. The plungeris mounted on a pin (not shown) depending from a cross bar 166. Thecross bar 166 is secured to the upper ends of two vertically upstandingposts 167. The posts 167 are slidably mounted in the frame of themachine in the same manner as the posts 127 (FIG. 12). A compressionspring 168 is interposed between the cross bar 166 and the plunger tocushion the shock as the plunger is moved into engagement with the cover120. The mechanism for moving the cross bar 166 vertically is similar tothat previously described for by the vertically disposed frame 126 andoperated "by the cam 63 simultaneously with the vertical 'movernentflpfsaidframe. 1 A l t-h.-

In FIGS. 17 and '18, a different mechanism moves the upper edgeportionof the container out "of its normal shape to allow escape of air trappedbetween the upper edge of the container and the flange of the cover. Inthis embodiment, the fixed plates 151 are replaced by laterally movableplates 169 and 170 that engage opposite sides of the container and pressthem inwardly. The plates 169 and 170 are moved laterally by a bellcrank 171 pivotally mounted on a bracket 172 extending inwardly from onewall of housing 59. One arm 173 of the bell crank has a cam roller 174engaged with cam 63 to move it pivotally in one direction. A spring 175is secured to the housing 59 and the other arm 176 of the bell crank topull the bell crank back to its original position whenever the shape ofthe cam 63 permits such movement. The plate 169 is secured to the upperend of the arm 176. The plate 170 is secured to the top of a lever 177pivoted intermediate its length, as indicated at 178, and pivotallyconnected at its other end to a floating link 179. The link 179 ispivotally connected at its other end to the arm 176. The linkconnection'between the bell crank 171 and the lever 177 causes the plate170 to move inwardly when the plate 169 is moved inwardly, and outwardlywhen the plate 169 is moved outwardly.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18, the mecha' nism of the sealingstation is essentially the same as in the embodiment having fixed plates151 except that the sides of the container are compressed by themovement of the plates 169 and 170. For convenience, the structure ofthe sealing station for the embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18 is designatedby the same reference numerals as the other embodiment except that theyare primed.

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention inconsiderable detail, it will be understood that the description thereofis intended to be illus trative, rather than restrictive, as manydetails of structure may be modified or changed without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to berestricted to the exact details of structure disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of packaging a pressure fiowable product in a package thatincludes an open-top container and a cover thereon, said container beingof a type having a flexible side wall and said cover having a dependingflange portion surrounding the upper region of said container side wallin adjacent relation thereto, said method comprising substantiallyfilling said container with said product, seating said cover upon thetop of said container to locate said flange portion in adjacent relationto the upper region of said container side wall with a limited air spaceexisting between said cover and said product, engaging said side wall tolaterally inwardly deflect at least one side wall region of saidcontainer and to create a localized lateral clearance between saidflange portion and the upper region of said container side wall,pressing the cover towards the container and the product therein whilemaintaining the localized lateral clearance whereby air is forced fromsaid space through said lateral clearance, and disengaging said sidewall to allow expansion thereof to restore the upper region thereof toadjacent the flange portion. I

2. The method of claim 1 in which said side wall is engaged to deflectat least one side wall region by 11 conveying said containeragainst'stationary'defiecting means.

3. The method of claim 2 in which said side wall is disengagedby'conveying said container away from said stationary deflecting means.

4; The method of claim 2 in which the stationary deflecting meanscomprises at least one flat plate, immovably afiixed, projecting intothe path along which the container is conveyed, whereby a side wallregion of said container is deflected against said plate.

5. The method of claim 1 in which said cover is 12 pressed towards thecontainer by means of a plunger adapted to deflect said cover.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,372,525. 3/1968 Edwards 52 28QX 10 TRAVIS S. MCGEHEE, Primary Examiner. e

R. L. FARRIS, Assistant Examiner.

